reflections on Listerine

Did you know that a good dose of Listerine will keep mosquitoes away? Neither did I, until I saw my Mom spraying our whole campsite with it. Another remedy for mosquitoes is Bounce sheets. The things you learn when you go family camping...

I find that being with family makes you feel normal. Family is composed of people who will generally be just like you or at least have some of the same characteristics. Sitting around the campfire last Sunday and Monday night with the Vedder side made me realise that there are reasons why I am the way I am. It only takes about 10 minutes before we have all broken out in song trying to find a rhyme to everyone's name. ie. Mike - trike, Jackie - wacky, Ian - peeing, Jill - pill, Treeny - weanie. My Dad loves these campfires because everyone is giddy enough that he can break out a lame joke and eveyone will laugh. And then there's my Uncle Aalt who brings out the fire works with his tractor and lights them off 4 feet from our circle, while some encourage Jeremy to jump through them. As I look at each one of my family members through the light from the fire I can see Mike with two Bounce sheets hanging out of his cap, my Dad with his socks pulled up to his knees, my Mom with a net over her face to keep away the bugs, Aunt Jackie with her pink rubber boots, and all the while the grass smelling like Listerine. This is my family, this is my home, and I am a reflection of them both.